I agree that gossip is a behavior we have to CHOOSE not to engage in. I’m not a saint and I found myself gossiping about someone else to a colleague and in the moment caught myself and said “what is my reason for doing this?” I needed to feel heard and vindicated for what I believed to a perceived hurt. Then, I thought how might this information I just shared have an impact on this person in my colleague’s eyes. Remember what our parents said “If you don’t have anything nice to say about a person, don’t say it at all.”

Pattie aka Texas Conflict Coach

When gossip is simply for the sake of “keeping track of others”, etc it’s a risky proposition to positive + trusting relationships. For the most part, gossip by itself lacks real meaning. The act can lead to distance rather than bridging communication divides. I vote people resist the urge, especially in the workplace.